To help answer these questions I ranked the Redskins
starters from the most expendable to the most valuable. Today,
numbers 1-8.
In inverse order, here are my rankings of the Redskins
starters, including punter and kicker, based on what I think they might do in 2006.
Their 2005 rankings here (Part
1, Part 2), where
applicable, are in parenthesis:
8. G Randy Thomas (12)—He may well have been headed
to Hawaii before he went down with a broken leg in Week 16. The leg will limit
him in preseason activities but he should be fine for the start of the season.
7. DE Andre Carter (NR)—Carter will have to adjust
from being a standup linebacker last year to playing with his hand in the dirt.
If he can adjust, and stay healthy, he’ll be the answer to the one glaring need
the defense has had the last couple of years, a strong pass rushing presence on
the line.
6. T Chris Samuels (7)—The time may have passed for
him to move up into the ranks of the truly elite left tackles in the league,
but he’s as solid as they come.
5. Sean Taylor (5)—A full offseason with the defense
staff and his teammates should help make him the deadly force in the defense
that seemed to be his destiny when the Redskins drafted him.
4. Cornelius Griffin (1)—When he missed some time
with a groin injury last year the defense suffered from the lack of his
dominating presence in the middle of the line.
3. RB Clinton Portis (2)—After Portis set the team
season rushing record last year, do you notice how he’s no longer being called
a “system back”.
2. LB Marcus Washington (3)—He blitzes, stuffs the
run from sideline to sideline, covers as well as any linebacker in the game,
and has a knack for making the big play. In addition, Washington is now the
inspirational leader of the defense; his great worth ethic and relentlessly
positive attitude make him a natural for the job.
1. WR Santana Moss (9)—The comment here last year
was, “He had better contribute a lot of big plays, as it appears he’s not
capable of much else.” He did contribute a lot of big plays and, on top of
that, he displayed a talent for turning little plays, like a slip screen pass
behind the line of scrimmage, in to big ones. Everyone is looking forward to see
what he can do with some more effective receivers on the other side to draw
some of the defensive attention away from him.
Rich Tandler is the author of The Redskins From A
to Z, Volume 1: The Games. This unique book has an account of every game
the Redskins played from when they moved to Washington in 1937 through the 2001
season. For details and ordering information, go to http://www.RedskinsGames.com
